Chapter 12
With Talon following her for about half an hour, Rogue pulled off at the base of an overpass. Talon coming up behind, parked beside the Jeep and shut off the lights. The four walked up to the crest of the overpass and looked over the shipyards. One building was lit and Talon spotted Sabertooth going in and then coming out, followed by Magneto. They exchanged a few words and Sabertooth then disappeared into the shadows, while Magneto stayed and watched the road. Talon studied the layout for several more minutes. Rogue pointed out features they couldn't see from what little Quicksilver remembered when he was here. A plan formed it his mind. Talon touched Rogue's shoulder and they faded back to the vehicles.
"So," Talon started, "can you drive Kitty?"
Rogue gave him a questioning look, "What are you thinking?"
Talon looked up as lighting lit up the sky, "We'll need two of me," he said, as they neared the back of his Suburban.
A new voice spoke, "Did you count me?"
Sparks flashed, just as thunder boomed, "Hold on! I'm not here for that... at least not yet," he assured Talon across the blades. It was Logan "But I do want to know what you all are planning."
Talon lowered his weapons slowly and the spoke to Rogue, "Will you please tell Logan what you think, Rogue?"
Surprised at Talon's request, Rogue turned to Logan. "He has a good plan Logan, it might work."
Logan looked between Rogue and Talon, "Alright T-rex, let's hear it."
"Well for starters, you'll have to leave your motorcycle here," Talon answered.
Logan snarled, "The plan better get better-- real fast."
"Oh, it does." Talon assured him quickly, "That is if you like to scrap."
"Alright, so far so good." Logan agreed.
X X X
Some distance back...
"I don't believe this!" Scott studied the black streaks.
"You're telling me!" Toad piped up, "That thing came out of nowhere. I'm just glad he ain't one of you, it would make life in the Brotherhood a lot more dangerous."
X X X
The Jeep's brake lights flashed. Talon took a deep breath and let it out slowly, then glanced to the passenger seat where Kitty sat with Kurt behind her. "No matter what's happening, or what you two see, you have to get those students into this Suburban and back to the institute. Understand?" Talon opened the sun-roof of the truck then pulled off his left hand glove. The Jeep and Suburban rounded the last corner and the shipyards came into sight.
"What do you mean?" Kitty asked.
"He means that those kids take priority over his own survival," Logan explained from behind Talon, "and that he'd rather die than see those kids harmed," he finished.
In front, Talon's face flushed a deep red, "I wouldn't say it in such noble words, but something like that," he confirmed.
The storm was still building and cast weird colors as they approached. Magneto raised his hand and the gates opened.
X X X
Magneto watched the as the Jeep pulled off to one side. The Suburban however, drove straight at him and switched on its blinding off-road lights. Magneto was about to raise his hand when it grounded to a halt. There was a loud "thud" on the hood of the Suburban behind the headlights, which then took form as a black silhouette that leaped forward at him. The silhouette drew a weapon and hurled it straight for Magneto! Magneto's hand rose, and the weapon reversed it's course. The silhouette stepped aside and caught the weapon deafly, spun it once in his hand and returned it to its place.
"Very impressive," said the silhouette and dropped his hands to his sides. Lightning flashed as he walked towards Magneto. Talon's silhouette wavered as his features became visible. A smile broke on Magneto's face as his eyes took in the armored mutant before him. Gambit and Colossus stepped from the shadows behind Magneto, a metal sphere hovering between them.
"I am Magneto, these are my followers, and we have something to offer you."
"You have my attention." Talon replied.
X X X
Logan turned to Kurt, "Get going Elf." he ordered.
"You think Talon will be okay, Logan?" Kitty hesitated.
"Don't know what's going to happen, but he'll die trying, so better find Bobby and the others before he gets all of us in over our heads."
"Right!" Kurt caught Kitty's hand in his own and teleported them out of the Suburban.
"There!" Kitty pointed to the blue and white shipping container.
Kurt teleported them in front of the door. "Your turn Kitty."
Together they fazed through the steel doors. The interior was lit, the students sat at one end behind a pulsing force-field.
"Hey! Kitty's here!" Jubilees's voice echoed off the walls.
"Shhh!" Kitty said and put a finger to her lips.